Iron wary of Van Veen threat

Scunthorpe United’s assistant manager Neil McDonald says the Iron will do everything they can to ensure Kevin van Veen’s swift return to Glanford Park with new side Northampton Town is an unhappy one.

Van Veen joined the Cobblers in the January transfer window and McDonald has insisted the Dutchman is in for a tough afternoon if he is passed fit to play tomorrow, having missed Tuesday’s game with Gillingham with a dead leg.

“They have a certain player who is coming back who is going to try and haunt us”, McDonald told the press.

“We dealt with that well recently when Fleetwood’s centre forward (Paddy Madden) didn’t score against us on his first game against us and hopefully Northampton’s centre forward won’t score either.

“We know of Kev’s qualities and we know his strengths. Certainly the back four and the midfield in front know all about what Kevin can do, and we’ll do all we can to make sure he has a tough game.”

Ex Iron loanee Matt Crooks is also set to feature against his former side despite missing the Gillingham defeat through an ankle injury.

Northampton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink confirmed: “Matt has been struggling a little bit but he will be fine for Saturday.

“From Saturday to Saturday he is fine but it would have been a big risk to play him on Tuesday night because he needs a bit more recovery time.

“Kevin is 50/50, he had a dead leg after the game at Wimbledon and his knee also flared up a little bit. The swelling is down but we will have to wait and see for Saturday.”